On Tuesday of this week, the Vermilion County Health Department held a “Community Assessment Stakeholder Meeting” at the DACC Bremer Center. Public Health Administrator Douglas Toole says it was a sizeable crowd.
AUDIO: We had about four dozen people, a pretty wide spectrum. We had elected officials, police, and education; and local businesses and many service agencies; and great representation from our two health care provider systems, Carle and OSF, there.
So in reviewing plans for the next three years, there was constant mention of a community need that was already going strong before the pandemic and has certainly stayed strong since it started, and it showed in a survey of county residents. of Vermilion. It would be behavioral health care and services; along with problems that often co-exist with them.
AUDIO: Mental health was a big topic, obesity and viruses. When it came to unhealthy behaviors they were concerned about, the top ones were illegal drug abuse, alcohol abuse, unhealthy eating, violence, lack of exercise, and smoking. And “what would have a big impact?”: safer neighborhoods, less violence, and access to health care.
If anyone would like to participate in any of the special community volunteer work groups that look at various topics such as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Issues, Violence Prevention, Income and Poverty, and a new one to be added on Healthy Behaviors; contact the Vermilion County Health Department at 217-431-2662 and they will put you in touch with committee leaders.
